Plate 123 · British Isles
Bullmastiff
斗牛獒
“The gamekeeper's night dog.”
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- England
- Country of origin
- Bred on English estates; the sources name no single place, so the marker is the United Kingdom's reference point.
- The point is a reference position in the country of origin.
- Era
- 19th century; recognized in the UK in 1924
- Today
- Guard dog · Companion
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
History
01 · Origin
England
A large, powerful mastiff-type guard dog bred from the Mastiff and the old Bulldog.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Helping gamekeepers catch and hold poachers on English estates at night.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
According to Wikipedia, Mastiff and bulldog crosses were used as guards in parts of England in the 18th century; gamekeepers later bred them for strength, size and speed against poachers. The Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1924, requiring four generations without new Mastiff or Bulldog blood. According to Wikipedia, De Beers imported Bullmastiffs in 1928 to guard its South African mines.
04 · Today
Guard dog · Companion
A calm family guardian.
Personality
- Loyal
- Affectionate
- Brave
- Calm
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: the AKC’s trait scores as its breed page gives them (the AKC’s 1–5 guidance for owners, not a measurement). Other profiles here use editorial ratings, a different source, so compare across them with care.
- Exercise
- Moderate daily exercise such as brisk walks; secure fencing is a must.
- Grooming
- Low maintenance; seasonal shedding.
- Training
- Strong-willed: early training and socialization, with clear rules.
Living with one
- Size
- Giant
- Lifespan
- 7–9 years
- Coat
- Short, dense, weather-resistant coat; fawn, red or brindle, with a dark muzzle
Field note
It was bred to catch and hold a poacher without mauling him.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Working Group
- Also recognized by
- FCI (Group 2, standard 157), The Kennel Club (UK)
- Popular in
- No reliable data
AKC: Working Group, recognized 1934.
AKC registrations: ranked 78 among breeds in 2025.
Sources3 references
- Bullmastiff — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bullmastiff/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-14 · Registry status, group, size, life expectancy and registration rank; history as the AKC tells it. Ratings: the AKC's own 1–5 owner-guidance trait scores as the page gives them (energy level, trainability, barking level, openness to strangers, good with other dogs), not measurements.
- Bullmastiff — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullmastiff
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-14 · Mastiff and Old English Bulldog crosses, gamekeepers and poachers, Kennel Club recognition (1924) and its four-generation rule, De Beers (1928).
- Bullmastiff — FCI breed nomenclature — Fédération Cynologique Internationale
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/BULLMASTIFF-157.html
Kennel club · accessed 2026-10-14 · Country of origin Great Britain; Group 2, section "Molossian type"; accepted 1955.
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: Bred on English estates; the sources name no single place, so the marker is the United Kingdom's reference point.
